From Daughters of De Beauvoir by Penny Foster

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From Daughters of De Beauvoir by Penny Foster

“It was as if someone had come into the room and talked to me for the first time, and said it’s alright to feel what you feel… And what was so amazing was that other women felt it as well.” (35:36)

Angie Pegg, a teacher, was just one of the many women in the Daughters of De Beauvoir film. Her story is ordinary, but that is why it is so vital to this film. Simone brought many women who lived normal lives comfort. Many of the fans of De Beauvoir would be scared to say what she said or do what she would do, but it gave them courage to reach personal goals that would have otherwise seemed impossible without the strong influence of an educated, independent woman who wrote freely. Angie married young and had kids but wanted more for herself, so after reading The Second Sex, she went back to school and got an education. She did this through the inspiring words of De Beauvoir. Furthering her own education was no easy task; everyone around Angie made her feel guilty for doing something for herself. 

Why can’t women be selfish? I hate the idea that women must marry and have children for other people to be satisfied and comfortable. Women get no appreciation for exceeding societal expectations, and when they wish to do one thing for themselves it is considered to be a maliciously selfish act. Angie could never and would never abandon her duty to her children, but her story makes me wonder if she still would’ve married young after reading The Second Sex. Did marriage hold her back? Did the people around her encourage her to only ever aspire to be a housewife? Watching this film made me remember the pressure others put on me to date even though I am very young. I hope I’m not held back from becoming the best woman I can be.